STEEL SEAL is a Power Metal band from Italy that have endured inner turmoil and lineup changes to be able to maintain their standard as one of today finest acts inside the European Power Metal scene, with the presence of Fabio Leone, longtime power metal titan that has served as front man both as a permanent member and host musician for such bands as RHAPSODY OF FIRE and ANGRA just to name a couple, this record is released by the band after a long seven year wait in which their ability to perform all that is related to power metal only seemed to grow. The way the album begins with Verdi's Requiem sets you in for something special. Like a scene out of a metaphysical realm where angels begin to fall out of a vortex from the heavens to commence a battle with a host of demons displayed over a thousand square miles with "Never Die" the opening act for Lion's Den and a true example of what maturity, experience and a god given talent can come up with once the time and the amount of musical creativity and prowess are found in perfect accordance.

The essence and Style of this Italian Power Metal Band is undeniably unique and to me the only possible flaw that could be present is the need of a better production schematic, since some of the instruments, and mainly the bass guitars fall on the background losing notoriety, but other than that the whole experience, especially for Power, Neoclassical and even Progressive Metal fans will be filled with significance; where maybe a more ethereal or fantastic cover art might have taken place, but then again the deep significance of a Lion's Den and all its connotations are a perfect consensus with the band's strength and experience. Neoclassical Power Metal and Melodic Metal Fans will rest assured as long as bands like Steel Seal remain charging against all the infidels of the genre, fantastic realms, chivalry and melodies accompanied by falsettos and opening the doors to those realms deprived of monotony and the elements that most of the times want to make us escape this world of ours so arbitrarily called reality.

The depiction of talent to play and execute the different instruments involved in this Lion's Den is without a doubt extraordinary, but maybe lacking a few contrasts when it comes to lifting some songs above the others, but I guess when you are an awesome restless double bass drum guitar shredding power metal band like STEAL SEAL you just have two keep going all of the time. Kudos to the band and the fans for this current release, the only thing now is the quest for conquest of the entire Metal world festivals throughout the planet.